Imports from Tatopani come to halt

SINDHUPALCHOWK, May 21:

Imports of goods from Tatopani customs point have come to a standstill after Nepali traders staged demonstrations protesting wage hike demands placed by laborers associated with Chinese transport companies.

Traders completely halted imports of goods for indefinite period from Monday after the Chinese government said the issue related to revision in wages was the concern of the private sector.

Chinese laborers, who load and unload goods, have demanded that their wage for handling per cube meter of cargo be raised by two yuan.

However, Nepali traders have stayed firm on their stance of not raising the rate by even a single penny.

Chinese workers currently receive 13 yuan for handling each cube meter of cargo.

Nilakantha Chaulagain, president of Trans-himalayan Trade Association, said traders were compelled to launch the strike after workers demanded unreasonable hike in wages nine days ago.

As traders blocked the movement of vehicles in Tatopani area, around 500 containers that reached the border area to ferry goods are stuck in Khasa.

This has affected imports of durable products such as clothes, shoes, sandals and electronics, albeit imports of perishable goods like apples, garlic and gingers are normal.

Tatipani customs officials said the government has been losing at least Rs 15 million in customs revenue per day due to disruption in imports.

Source: Republica